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Sercombe’s winner came in the dying seconds of normal time as Lee Brown squared the ball him from a free kick about 30 yards out.

Stuart Sinclair of Bristol Rovers in action against Portsmouth

The former Oxford United man took a touch and looked up before unleashing a fierce right footed shot. His effort was deflected out of the reach of Pompey goalkeeper Luke McGee to give Rovers a huge three points and send the crowd into raptures.

Minutes earlier Rovers looked destined to end the match empty handed before Stuart Sinclair popped up with the equaliser.

Sinclair’s goal came as Rovers piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes in search of an equaliser. The initial shot came from Billy Bodin as he struck the ball first time. His effort was straight at Pompey goalkeeper Luke McGee, but he could only parry the ball back into play and Sinclair was there to sweep home the rebound.

Before the dramatic finale Hawkins had given Portsmouth the lead against the run of play.

Hawkins’ goal came from a seemingly innocuous hopeful long ball from Adam May on the right. But the central midfielder picked out Hawkins perfectly at the back post and the towering striker placed his looping header well into the opposite corner of the goal.

His header seemed to take an age to drift over the helpless Adam Smith and nestle in the net. The goal had come against the run of play really, as Rovers looked to be growing into the final half an hour of the match.

Rovers had come out with intensity after a goalless first half and had a good double chance to take the lead just after the 50 minute mark.

Billy Bodin of Bristol Rovers is challenged by Nathan Thompson of Portsmouth

After a long spell of possession, Billy Bodin found a way towards the six-yard box and managed to shoot from what appeared an impossibly tight angle. But his effort cannoned into the legs of visiting goalkeeper Luke McGee before deflecting back into the penalty area.

Joe Partington lined up a shot but his attempt was deflected wide inadvertently by Tom Nichols for a goal kick.

The first half saw both sides enjoy long spells of possession, and despite some pleasing moves, neither team was able to carve out many clear chances on goal.

Rovers had the first sight on goal within the opening two minutes as Bodin found some room to get a shot away on the edge of the penalty area but the Portsmouth goalkeeper was easily down to his left to save at the second attempt after a brief fumble.

Pompey quickly found their feet however, and with Jamal Lowe and Matty Kennedy providing the width, Rovers had to be aware to the aerial threat of towering frontman Hawkins.

Rory Gaffney of Bristol Rovers brings the ball under control

Tom Broadbent, recalled at centre-back, and Tom Lockyer coped admirably in the first half and their skill meant Adam Smith was only forced into one save in the opening 45 minutes.

A deflection put the ball to the feet of the dangerous Brett Pitman, and the Pompey captain had a crack from the edge of the penalty area. Smith was well across to the left and got down to clear the ball with a strong hand to keep the match goalless.

Rovers enjoyed a few more sights on goal before the half time whistle with Bodin seeing his miscued shot go wide after nice link up play between Tom Nichols and Stuart Sinclair.

Bodin was also in the action as Lee Brown swung in a good ball from the left, only for the Rovers No.10 to clash with Sinclair, leaving both men on the ground and Pompey with a chance to clear their lines.

For all of their possession and smooth passing around the box, Rovers struggled to get behind the Pompey back four and looked a little leggy at times.

The Memorial Stadium pitch once again cut up terribly and resembled a patchwork quilt by full time, but thankfully on this occasion it didn’t really detract from the match.